Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1887-07-23
On this particular day Conny went

a moment on the top Of the western
woods before disappearing.
'Irs very hard to be scoldcd all the
time" said she to herself. 81 will have
little walk to rest myself from Aunt
Boxwood's household cares and labors.
and the stocking -darning must wait until
tomorrow. ,"
So Conny ran through the fragrant
woods, listening for the merry ripple Of
the brook, and whisting back with
shrill sweetness to the good night chirps
Of robin, thrush and red winged black
bird in the trec-tops, until she cam b TO
solitary farmhouse on the edge Of the
lake.
1t was past sunset now. The young
moon, family uirrorcd in the lake,
cleaned like a thread Of silver. Close be-
side streamcd the red reflection Of the
farm house windows across the placid
water.
''There's the doctors carriage at the
door," said Conny. ats old Mr.. Fak-
ners rheumatism again. Poor Doctor
Darling! what he has to endure with
Mr. Falkner's rheumatism! But it serves
him right, for asking Fanny Parker to
go to the picnic instead Of our Lulu; and
for scoldlng Inc Tor giving Aunt Box
wood bread and butter poultice, in
stead Of a capcinc plaster for her chest.
| know what Pll do-rll take a comfort
able little drive around the lake in his
carriage, and see how he'll enjoy walk
ing homel OF course, he'll think it's
stolen, and be half-frightcned out of his
wits-and serve him right, too!'
The thought, in Conny's mind, was
father to the deed
Quickly and lightly she united the
horse, jumped into the carriage, and
chlrrupcd to old Dick, who set off at a
dog-trot.
The flowers which she had gathered
she flung into the bottom of the carriage; :;
her light, striped shawl huttcrcd behind,
and in the faint moonlight her eyes shone
like mischicvous stars.
1t was lonely road-a fragrant, silent
ighway-winding itself through the
woods; bat Conny feared nothing, as she
drove rapidly along, singing snatches of
wild ballads to herself until suddenly
a tall, dark figure stepped forth into the
road and took the horse by the head,
with an authoritative.
"Halt, therep
Conny uttered shriek, and dropped
the reins. The stranger sprans into the
carriage and seated himself beside her.
"What does all this mean?" said he
in a deep voice "What right have you
with my carriagel"
Doctor DarIingw she gasped.
"Yes, Doctor Darling" SAID he, stern
ly.
"I-I thought you were in at Mr.
Falkncr's, " faltered Conny. 81 wanted
drive, an"
"And you shall have one," said the
doctor, composedly. Il walked across
to see Mrs. Hadley at the Four Corners,
and | returned, as it seems, just in time
to save M horse and carriage"
Conny did not say word. She could
not think Of any excuse to make.
"Where are you going" she ventured
to ask, in a whisper.
ITO Judge WhepIey's. To have you
committed for tral!'
"a" saspcd Conny.
For horse-stealing," SUD cinctly added
Doctor Darling.
Conny uttered a shrick.
"What will they do to rhe?" she STAN
mercl holding desperately on to the
side of the carriage.
II don't quite know whether it is
hundred dollars fine or six months in the
penitentiary, Doctor Darling gravely an
swcrei.
Couny began to cry.
but | was only in fun" she sobbed
Il never meant-how should ITO stea
the horse"
'1t has an awkward look, neverthe
less, Miss Boxwo2d. But of course i
you can make Judge Whepley believe al
this"
Poor COMFY was thoroughly subdued
at last. With piteous abjcctness sh'
sued for pardon.